Apple bets on AI and smart devices

Apple shares gained 1.6% following a Bloomberg report outlining the company's plans to expand production of AI-powered robots, home security systems, and smart displays.

Major index performance

• Dow Jones Industrial Average: up 463.66 points, or 1.04%, to 44,922.27;
• S&P 500: up 20.82 points, or 0.32%, to 6,466.58;
• Nasdaq Composite: up 31.24 points, or 0.14%, to 21,713.14;
• Russell 2000: up nearly 2%, hitting a six-month high.

Healthcare stocks regain momentum

Shares of healthcare companies, which had been under pressure for most of the year, rose 1.6%, ranking among the top performers across the 11 sectors of the S&P 500.

Fed weighs tariff impact on inflation

Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, said the central bank is assessing whether the inflationary effect of tariffs will be short-lived or more persistent. The outcome of this analysis, he added, will be crucial in determining the timing of interest rate cuts.

Tough quarter for CoreWeave

CoreWeave shares, backed by Nvidia, plunged nearly 21% after the AI data center operator reported a quarterly net loss that was significantly larger than analysts had forecast. The results highlight mounting financial challenges for the company.

Paramount Skydance scores major UFC deal

Shares of Paramount Skydance soared 36.7% after the company secured a seven-year exclusive broadcasting agreement for Ultimate Fighting Championship events. The deal marks one of the most significant sports media acquisitions in its recent history.

European stocks edge higher on earnings and data

On Thursday, major European markets posted modest gains, climbing to their highest levels in two weeks as investors digested fresh corporate earnings and economic figures.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.2% as of 07:10 GMT, while the UK's FTSE 100 slipped 0.2%.

UK economy beats forecasts

Official statistics showed that Britain's economy expanded by 0.3% in the second quarter, triple the growth rate expected by analysts. Economists surveyed by the Bank of England had projected only a 0.1% increase between April and June.

Wall Street momentum lifts global sentiment

The recent uptrend in global markets has been fueled by growing expectations that the US Federal Reserve may cut interest rates as early as next month, sending Wall Street to fresh record highs.

Company-specific setbacks

Shares of Embracer plunged 24.1%, making them one of the worst performers in the STOXX 600, after the Swedish gaming group reported first-quarter operating profits well below market expectations.

Carlsberg shares dropped 4.8% after the Danish brewer missed half-year profit and sales forecasts and warned that consumer demand is unlikely to improve before year-end.